GUNTER'S DECISION STUNS DEMOS

Insurance Commissioner Bill Gunter's decision to drop out of the governor's race Thursday left dozens of Broward County Democrats stunned and without a candidate to support.

Much of Broward's Democratic organization was backing Gunter.

"It's a very large surprise. I don't have a candidate now," said Mitch Ceasar, a Democratic insider who would have been one of the Gunter campaign's Broward coordinators.

In addition to Ceasar, among the key Democrats backing Gunter were County Commission Chairman Scott Cowan, Commissioner Nicki Grossman, lawyer Alan Becker, at least a half-dozen Broward state representatives and dozens of precinct workers and condominium and labor leaders.

Many of these former Gunter supporters were on the phone Thursday, fielding calls from candidates remaining in the race and their aides.

Former Gunter campaigners heard from state Rep. Steve Pajcic, a Jacksonville Democrat also running for governor. Pajcic was in the office of a Broward supporter Thursday, phoning and meeting members of Gunter's defunct team.

State Sen. Ken Jenne, D-Hollywood, was making calls on behalf of Senate President Harry Johnston, D-West Palm Beach, also a gubernatorial candidate.

Johnston was not given much chance in Broward before Thursday, conceded Jenne, the only leading local politician backing the senator.

"This (Gunter's announcement) frees up a lot of people to choose another candidate, and I want them to choose Sen. Johnston. The Johnston campaign needs and wants them," Jenne said.

Said Cowan: "I'm talking and listening. I'm not willing to make any commitments yet. I may stay out of the race altogether."

Also being courted was Becker, a former Broward congressional candidate whose law practice represents more than 1,000 condominium associations in 20 Florida counties. Becker had been raising money for the Gunter campaign.

Asked what his value would be to another candidate, Becker said, "No one underestimates the importance of contributions in a political campaign."

Grossman, who had been angling for the spot of lieutenant governor on Gunter's ticket, described herself as "crushed."

"I'm personally disappointed because he and I had discussed being a running mate," she said. "And I'm personally disappointed because he is a good friend and would have made an excellent governor."